Medway covers Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Strood, and between them there’s a genuinely good spread of children’s party venues — from soft play centres to science parties, sports centres and hotel function rooms. It’s one of the areas we travel to most often from our Sittingbourne studio.
This guide covers six venues we’d recommend for a children’s birthday party across Medway, along with our notes on what each space is like for birthday balloon styling in Medway. Prices and details are guides only — always confirm current rates and availability directly with the venue.
What to Look For in a Venue — Before You Book
Capacity and cost are the obvious things to check, but a few other details make a real difference once you start planning styling and decorations.
Our Venue Checklist
“Tell your venue you’re planning professional balloon styling when you enquire. It opens a useful conversation about ceiling height, fixings and access that saves time later.”
Venues Across Medway — Our Recommendations
Here’s a rundown of venues we’d recommend for a children’s birthday party across Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and the wider Medway area. Prices and booking details are guides only — always confirm directly with the venue.
Balloon styling note: As a true hall hire space, this gives full freedom to set the scene with a balloon arch, garland or backdrop. Because it’s a blank canvas, the styling does most of the work in setting the theme — ideal if you want a strong colour palette to be the main visual feature.
Balloon styling note: The private party room is the natural focus for styling here — a backdrop behind the cake table and a balloon number make the room feel celebratory while the soft play itself takes care of entertaining the children. Bright, playful colour palettes suit this setting particularly well.
Balloon styling note: Because Fun Science brings the activity to a venue of your choosing, you have full flexibility over styling — a colourful entrance arch and a balloon-decorated experiment table both work nicely and won’t interfere with the science demonstrations.
Balloon styling note: The party room booked alongside the sports activity is the best spot for styling — a themed backdrop and table display ready for when the group finishes their session creates a clear, exciting shift from activity time to party time.
Balloon styling note: A dedicated event space gives a polished, professional setting for styling — ideal for a full balloon arch at the entrance and coordinated table displays. The hotel setting suits refined colour palettes and premium metallic balloon finishes particularly well.
Balloon styling note: A genuinely memorable option that few other children will have experienced. Styling works best in the foyer or screen entrance for arrival photos — a balloon arch makes a brilliant "walking the red carpet" moment before the film starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a birthday party venue in Medway?
Beyond capacity and cost, check ceiling height (which affects what balloon displays are possible), how early you can access the venue, whether decorations are allowed, parking, and whether the venue runs structured activities or is a blank space you style yourself. Our checklist above covers all of these.
How much does it cost to hire a birthday party venue in Medway?
Soft play is usually the most affordable structured option — The Fun Drum starts from around £13 per child during term-time weekdays. Activity-based parties like Fun Science Medway start from around £130 for a group package. Hall hire, sports centres and hotel function rooms are generally quoted per event.
Can I bring my own decorations to Medway venues?
Hall hire and hotel function rooms generally welcome your own decorations. Soft play and activity-based venues usually include their own theming as part of the package, so check what’s already provided before booking additional balloon styling.
How early do I need access to set up balloon styling?
We recommend at least 60–90 minutes before guests arrive for a hall or function room. Activity-based venues with fixed time slots often have less flexibility, so ask when booking whether early access for styling is possible.
If you’re planning a party further along the M20, our Maidstone venues guide covers options there. And once you’ve found the right space, take a look at our first birthday balloon ideas for styling inspiration.
Ready to Start Planning Your Birthday Party?
Once you’ve found your venue, we’d love to help with the styling. Tell us the space, your theme, and your vision — and we’ll take care of the rest.